For the longest time, I used to have a reoccurring dream that I was back in high school. I would be standing in front of my locker, unable to remember the combination. After struggling over and over with the dial, I would hear the warning bell for class and... read more
Just over six years ago, I had an experience on my worship team that will forever be etched in my brain. We were had just finished up the worship set for our second of three Christmas Eve services. A few of the band members asked if it would be... read more
Usually the words “humble” and “leadership” are not readily matched together. Humbleness implies meekness, lowliness and submission. Even the Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “humility” as “a modest or low view of one’s own importance”. In contrast, leaders want to be confident, strong and bold. They want to carve out paths... read more
In the world of church leadership, there are numerous hats that leaders end up wearing. Many times, the art of balancing pastor, administrator, counselor, creative guru and other miscellaneous titles, can end up in a heaping mess on the floor of our church office. If we are honest, we can’t... read more
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10: 24-25 ESV For those of us who lead a weekend team... read more
Over the past few years, social media has exploded in its ability to influence, increase sales and expose companies as never before. It has become one of the first sources for information and feedback. We, in the church world, would be blind to ignore the growing presence of social media’s... read more
One of the times of year my family looks forward to the most is our annual camping trip to Lake Michigan. We sleep in a tent, cook around a campfire and spend a week without a schedule, alarms or obligations. Because my husband and I both work at a smaller... read more
Six years ago, I stepped into a role I didn’t feel even slightly prepared to take on. My husband, Todd, and I had came down from the Detroit area with our kids so that he could take on the position of Youth Pastor at a growing church in the Cincinnati... read more
A while back, I had an experience that you might be able to relate to. We had just finished our church service with worship and communion. As the music team was slowly unplugging and turning off their equipment, we felt encouraged by how God had used us. Just as... read more
Some time ago, I heard a worship leader recount a confrontation that he had with a team member who was serving in his music ministry. He said that the volunteer, who played bass in the band, would routinely show up late or, at times, not show up at all. The... read more
We recently moved into a new home and though I loved the floor layout, the colors left something to be desired. I am a fan of neutral colors but almost every wall was the color of brown mud. The home felt sad, dreary and small. I took some time researching... read more
Six years ago, I was given the challenge to take our church congregation on a journey. It started slowly in rearranging décor on stage and morphed into working with a team of people who were given the exciting task of finding ways to connect our congregation to the message, and... read more